Comparison of Several DPM Field Monitors for Use in Underground Mining Applications

Barrett, Chelsea A.; Sarver, Emily; Cauda, Emanuele; Noll, James; Vanderslice, Shawn; Volkwein, Jon C.

doi:10.4209/aaqr.2019.06.0319

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…For DPM limits, FIOH uses Switzerland's officials' suggested value of 100 µg m -3 for elemental carbon (Taxell et al, 2015). Most recent aerosol studies related to underground mining focus on DPM, as there is evidence of health effects related to it (Chang and Xu, 2017;Barrett et al, 2019). The problem…”

Section: Accepted Manuscriptmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Another recent study (Barrett et al, 2019) also examined particle sensors for underground mine applications; however, they focused on measuring the mass concentration of elemental or black carbon. They found good potential in a prototype black carbon sensor, which had good correlation with the reference method during field testing (R 2 =0.85).…”

Section: Accepted Manuscriptmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Concentrations and Size Distributions of Particle Lung-deposited Surface Area (LDSA) in an Underground Mine

Salo

Rönkkö

Saarikoski

et al. 2021

Aerosol Air Qual. Res.

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Ultrafine particles produced by diesel-powered vehicles in underground mines are largely unaccounted for in mass-based air quality metrics. The Lung Deposited Surface Area concentration (LDSA) is an alternative to describe the harmfulness of particles. We aim to study concentrations and size distributions of LDSA at various locations in an underground mine as well as to evaluate the applicability of sensor-type measurement of LDSA. This study was conducted in an underground mine in Kemi, Finland, in 2017. Our main instrument was an electrical low-pressure impactor (ELPI+) inside a mobile laboratory. Additionally, five diffusion-charging based sensors were tested. The environment was challenging for the sensors as the particle size distribution was often outside the optimum range (20-300 nm) and dust accumulated inside the instruments. Despite this, the correlations with the ELPI+ were decent (R 2 from 0.53 to 0.59). With the ELPI+ we determined that the maintenance area had the lowest mean LDSA concentration (79±38 µm 2 cm -3 ) of the measured locations. At the other locations, concentrations ranged from 137 to 405 µm 2 cm -3 . The mode particle size for the LDSA distribution was around 100 nm at most locations, with the blasting site as a notable exception (mode size closer to 700 nm). Diffusion-charging based sensors-perhaps aided by optical sensors-are potential solutions for long-term monitoring of LDSA if dust accumulation is taken care of. Our research indicates worker exposure could be reduced with the implementation of a sensor network to show which locations need either protective gear or increased ventilation.

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Section: Accepted Manuscriptmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Accepted Manuscriptmentioning

confidence: 99%

Concentrations and Size Distributions of Particle Lung-deposited Surface Area (LDSA) in an Underground Mine

Salo

Rönkkö

Saarikoski

et al. 2021

Aerosol Air Qual. Res.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Continuous monitoring of diesel particulate matter (DPM) in underground mine air is desirable to assess workers’ exposure to pollution. An evaluation 52 of four DPM monitoring devices (the FLIR Airtec monitor, the Magee Scientific AE33 aethalometer, the Sunset Laboratory OC–EC field analyser and Airwatch, a new prototype continuous-monitor based upon the Airtec monitor) in a laboratory and in a mine setting concluded that both the AE33 and the Sunset instruments had potential for unattended monitoring underground provided that there was reliable access to power and that periodic routine maintenance was performed. The prototype Airwatch instrument had potential but required further development to achieve reliable and consistent measurements.…”

Section: Air Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%